Greg Abbott: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: WoodridgeWebsite: www.abbottforcountyboard.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Greg Abbott for DuPage County Board, District 3Office sought: DuPage County board District 3 Age: 54Family: Wife Diane, and children Brett (16), Sean (14) and Gabriella (11)Occupation: AttorneyEducation: Bachelor in History, U. of Notre Dame (1985), Juris Doctor, U. of Notre Dame (1988)Civic involvement: Cub Scouts, Our Lady of Peace, Treasurer Basketball coach, Our Lady of Peace grade school Baseball Coach, Woodridge Athletic AssociationElected offices held: Village Trustee, Village of WoodridgeQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I am running for County Board for District 3 because property taxes are too high and too many politicians do too little to fight for the taxpayer. People are being hurt. Seniors on fixed incomes are being taxed out of their homes. Many families pay more in property taxes than they do on their mortgage. I ran for Woodridge Village Trustee 7 years ago because I was tired of politicians raising taxes and saying it was inevitable. I knew that government could become more efficient and stop hiking taxes. My first 2 years on the Village Board, I voted against property tax increases (which passed). For the last 5 years, I and fellow board members have been successful in not raising property taxes. Good, efficient government can give relief on other taxes as well. Water rates have gone through the roof, due to rate increases from the City of Chicago. The citizens of Woodridge, many elderly, conveyed to me that the increases were busting their budgets and they wanted relief. I and the rest of the Board found a way to eliminate the Water Utility Tax, saving the residents significant amounts of money every month. While other towns in DuPage are raising property taxes and instituting new taxes and Ãâ#128;™feesÃâ#128;œ, the lesson from Woodridge shows that, given the proper leadership, tax increases are avoidable and taxes can actually be reduced. It takes will and leadership. I want to use that will and leadership to benefit the entire County.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?I believe that the County Board pay is too high. I would propose to lower it. I also am in favor of abolishing the pension, which is why I promise to not accept a pension if elected.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?I am against increasing taxes unless it can be proven that government is as lean and efficient as possible. My experience is that government is getting leaner and smarter by necessity due to taxpayers' anger over tax increases, but it still has a long way to go. Government must live within its means, just like small business and families do. As a County Board member, I will make sure that those who run the day to day office understand that they are expected to provide the same quality services with a flat budget. As a Village Trustee in Woodridge, we have gone 5 years without a property tax hike and have no plans to do so in the near future. In Woodridge, we were able to keep the tax levy flat and actually eliminate the Village Water Utility tax. Other than squeezing inefficiencies, we also need to work with government agencies to eliminate duplication of services. That can yield significant cost savings. With the right leadership, we can avoid the need for increased revenue.What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government?I am in full agreement with the goals of the Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency initiative. DuPage can play a vital role in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government. First, we should look to consolidate agencies if that will yield a benefit. In DuPage. We have seen consolidation of Fire Protection and other districts, which have yielded lower costs with the same level of service. However, it must be remembered that consolidation is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end, with the Ãâ#128;™endÃâ#128;œ being eliminating duplicative services. I believe that the County and local government entities need to create a working group to identify areas where we are wastefully duplicating services, and find a way for each entity to limit its mission to the things it does best. I would be eager to work on behalf of this effort.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?My main initiative would be to hold regular town hall style meetings so that I can hear the concerns of residents so that I can be a more effective advocate for them. Also, I would like to bring residents into the decision-making process by letting them know of issues the County is facing and getting their thoughts and feedback. As a Woodridge trustee for the last 7 years, I have come to learn that residents often have a different perspective and a lot of good ideas on how to solve local problems. I would look to tap into that wealth of ideas and experience to do my job better.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I think DuPage County is a great place to live and raise a family. I want to make sure it stays that way. Throughout Illinois, governments are facing some serious fiscal challenges. These challenges are not insurmountable. While my focus will be on making sure that taxes do not increase, and looking for ways for government to be more lean and efficient, it is important to do so in a way that does not compromise core services. People in DuPage deserve excellent core services. I do not believe in the false choice of higher taxes vs. decreased service quality. In Woodridge, we have found ways to maintain excellent core services and avoid tax increases. I have been instrumental in that effort in Woodridge and would like to bring that experience to the County Board.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mitch DanielsWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always try your best and take pride in your work.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have gone to live overseas for a year or two after law school.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. Analyzing what has taken place in the past can help guide you for actions in the present.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be a good person.